After the drama arose regarding the ashes of the late young comedian, Neng Mengjai, which were found stored in a storage room at Klang Temple, Khlong 4, days after the cremation ceremony, Neng's sister Kae immediately went to the temple and gave a heated interview about Ice Thalatchanan concerning this matter.
Following the drama, Ice agreed to allow the temple to divide Neng's ashes into two parts so that Neng's family, including his children, could use them for religious rites. Recently, Kae spoke on the program “Open Mouth,” hosted by Ui Pakpoom Phantsathit.
Have Neng's family talked with Ice about dividing Neng's ashes?
"Yes. From what I know, he said he agreed. He was going to the temple at 4 p.m., but I didn't go because I couldn't take the day off today, and tomorrow is a holiday."
Was Neng's daughter, Guitar, going with you today?
"Yes, she was."
Are the relatives still discussing any unresolved issues, or did you just divide the ashes and then go your separate ways?
"We just went our separate ways to focus on our work. We have no more complaints. I'm happy that he allowed it. The happiest thing is that he agreed to share with us. At least we can bring some home, even though our mother doesn’t know her son is gone. But at least the ashes are at home with her."
Is your mother still unaware?
"Yes, she doesn't know. She's elderly and ill, forgetful now. She just sleeps, eats, and bathes. That’s enough for her life. She can sit and eat, get bathed by us, but she no longer asks about anyone. Before, she used to ask and call to talk. Our mother is 80 years old."
Does your mother still remember her children and grandchildren?
"She does remember. She has only one son. If we tell her, she would think about it and probably cry or make a fuss. Crying or making a fuss is one thing, but if she were to be shocked or worse, I’d have to take care of both my mother and my child alone, which might be difficult. If something happens to her, I’d have to take her to the hospital or let her rest and eat at home. I think it’s better for her to believe her son is still alive. We have two siblings from the same parents, but because of our mothers Hom and Jan—our own mothers—and several other elder siblings helping out, Kae hasn’t told her. If we get the ashes back, we won’t have any complaints. We're just grateful for at least a part of it, which comforts an elderly person."
Have you ever talked with Ice?
"Yes, we used to talk all the time. He said to let us know if anything happened and to call him. But I know he’s sad and busy, so if he can’t talk, that’s okay. I just wait."
When Yuri and Ball found Neng's ashes in the temple storage room, were you shocked by what had happened?
"I was angry and shocked. Why were they left like that? Why didn’t anyone tell us? On the day of the water-pouring ceremony, I asked who would keep the ashes. Ice's mother said Ice would keep them because I have responsibilities to take care of our mother and didn’t want her to know that I came to the water-pouring ceremony or might come to the cremation. I couldn’t stay to listen to the chanting because I had to rush home after work to bathe and feed our mother."
Ice posted a clarification saying they intended to keep the ashes for 100 days before scattering them at sea. The temple said they could hold them temporarily and wait for the right time to conduct the merit-making ceremony and then keep them at home. Did he not know where or how the temple was keeping the ashes?
"If he had told us, 'I am keeping Neng's ashes at the temple,' we would have been okay with that. We might have asked where exactly they were kept and confirmed it was a proper place for ashes. But since he told us nothing, we assumed he took them home. We thought so because he bought a house; we expected the ashes to be there. Finding out they were still at the temple felt like Neng was abandoned there."
Are you not concerned about Neng’s possessions?
"No, we don't want anything. He can do whatever he wants with them."
Have you discussed what you will do once you receive the ashes?
"I asked the grandchildren; they said they would bring the ashes to my house, to their grandmother’s. Then we will arrange a time to scatter the ashes and perform merit-making together. Sometimes our days off don’t match, so we want to do it all at once."
Click to read moreEntertainment newsMore